Iran tries to confront ‘catastrophe’ of violent clampdown on protests

Calls for independent external inquiry into brutal crackdown that some estimates suggest killed more than 30,000

A deep and painful inquest is under way inside Iran as politicians, academics and the security establishment try to come to terms with what has been described as a catastrophe after the violent protests and their even more violent suppression by the security forces.

The shape of the debate taking place in the heavily censored society is emerging, as selective newspapers and Telegram channels slowly open up to international audiences after the protests - which some estimates suggest could have left more than 30,000 dead - that have stunned many Iranians.